– Visitors to SharkWeek.com Can Control First Underwater 360-Degree Live Streaming Camera from Georgia Aquarium’s Ocean Voyager Exhibit –

(Silver Spring, Md. and Atlanta, Ga.) – As Americans prepare to celebrate the 4th of July holiday, thoughts turn to summer rituals: trips to the beach, barbeque’s with friends and…SHARK WEEK. The annual summertime pop culture event will return to Discovery Channel on August 12, marking 25 years of celebrating the often misunderstood and feared creatures of the deep. Beginning today, viewers are invited to get a jump on the festivities and dive with sharks (no wet suit required) through Shark Cam, a live streaming underwater experience from the 6.3 million gallon Ocean Voyager Exhibit at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, the world’s largest single aquarium habitat, inside the world’s largest aquarium.

In an online first, visitors to SharkWeek.com, GeorgiaAquarium.org and USTREAM will have 360-degree access to the home of 33 sharks spanning seven species, which includes the largest species of shark, the whale shark, in addition to elegant rays and a full underwater ecosystem. Shark Cam audiences will be able to pan, tilt and move the 360-degree camera, powered by Immersive Media, to find their favorite shark-filled perspective. A second camera on the north side of the exhibit will offer an alternative stationary underwater view.

From August 12-16, Shark Cam visitors will be treated to twice-daily feedings and can participate in daily live chats with an underwater shark expert, submitting their questions in the social stream and to @SharkWeek on Twitter. Fin-atics can also visit SHARK WEEK on Facebook for regular updates, follow SHARK WEEK on Socialcam for Shark Cam selects, pin their favorite #SharkCam photos to a special Pinterest board and more.

For super shark fans, there is also the opportunity to go from watching to diving by participating in Georgia Aquarium’s Journey with Gentle Giants Program. Guests twelve years of age and older are given the opportunity to get face-to-fin in the Ocean Voyager exhibit while friends, family and fellow Shark Cam lovers watch the underwater adventure from home. Participants in this one-of-a-kind experience can choose to swim at the surface or dive down deeper (with SCUBA certification). For more information, visit www.georgiaaquarium.org/swim-with-whale-sharks.